DEARTEACH

As students read, one way to keep everyone going is to provide them with: a reading schedule and a map to track Milo's Adventures. On this text box map, students fill in the main event and supporting details; then they are invited to draw around the outside of the text box to capture an idea of their choice. A symbol for an object, person, place, or idea they felt was significant from a given event. Please note a few more pages have been added to the original set. Enjoy! Visit The Phantom Toll

Share this very basic powerpoint with students to showcase the step-by-step process in writing a standard paper. It can be used for a persuasive, or other type of writing piece that requires five paragraphs. Show each slide and allow time for students to begin by mimicking the steps. Visit Teacher Tools for Persuasive Writing A Related Product Visit A Specific Guide for Argumentative vs Persuasive Writing A Related Product Visit An Easy Way to Write an Introduction for a Persuasive Piece A R

Here is a useful product designed to support students in gaining a deeper understanding of 5 skill areas. Students will engage and use the PARCC language and format. "The passage is NOT included with this resource." However, it will be sent to you upon your request. Skills found on templates: vocabulary theme summary character setting Templates encourage students to supply the information needed and to exchange papers with one another. These templates can be used independently or in small group

Here's a persuasive step by step writing activity to help students develop a strong convincing paper. Topics are provide along with specific details students need to include in each paragraph. I usually spend 3 or more days with my students. Duration will depend on age of child. However, please keep in mind the regular practice of writing is what will propel students to express themselves in a clear and precise way. Students should write persuasively once every two weeks or more often [without g

Here's a very basic and easy to use activity for students learning or reviewing ideas about science fiction or fantasy stories. Share the general background about both these genres. Then have students read a sci-fi and a fantasy, and complete the handouts. Within a single page students will easily identify the important ideas. Ideal for foreign language teachers too! NOW includes an additional page filled with "sci-fi type words" and "fantasy type words" to help students craft their own stories,

Here is a product of 31 expressions found in The Phantom Tollbooth Expressions are placed on an easy to use and write on a chart format that contains 4 categories: expressions, literal meaning, intended meaning, and a sketch [where students may add a tiny sketch to help in understanding the idiom]. This product may be used with small groups of students, individuals, pairs of students, or as a whole class instruction opportunity. Also included are 31 landscaped pages with a single expressio

Landscaped Bookmarks with and without definitions for readers of The Phantom Tollbooth [a play]. Laminate and reuse, handout without definitions for students to determine meanings, or handout with definitions prior to reading, or while reading. Enjoy! Visit The Phantom Tollbooth Board Game Companion Product Visit The Phantom Tollbooth Idiomatic Expressions-Vocabulary-Character Cards Companion Product Visit The Phantom Tollbooth Noteworthy Expressions Companion Product Visit The Phantom T

Have students follow this very basic guide to writing a strong narrative piece by using art/paintings as their inspiration. Follow the step by step "then what happened?" prompts and before students realize, a short story has been crafted. This method is especially useful for those reluctant writers. And for those who finish early, a hidden benefit is to briefly research information about the artist and image that inspired their creative work. Have students share a snippet of their findings, but

Here is a great product that shows how to fit writer's workshop in a 40 minute session [product is developed for a 5 day spread which can be adapted to any type of writing]. This product is especially useful for teachers who are just starting out because it very specifically scaffolds the lesson [building each paragraph one day at a time, and utilizes "how" to work with sample works]. Once students understand the structure of an essay, it is a simple case of using various new samples and new pr

Here is a product for Explanatory Writing where students can visit this center throughout the year and target any one or all skill areas presented. Information can then be displayed on a poster or collected digitally. Total of 13 steps are displayed. This works well for beginners or advanced writers. Students follow the samples given and then craft their own papers. Included are 11 Explanatory Writing prompts. Last, print as a poster, enlarge to 120%, and the sheets should orient themselves wel

"Start Now!" Begin the school year with small increments of this type of writing; at least once a month. Great product to begin review or prep for State testing and in light of PARCC's recommendation to include 28+ writing pieces a year across all classes, here's an opportunity to write 9 different pieces within a month's time. What could be better! This product is void of whistles, and bells, and gimmicks. The fact is kids need to practice, generate and identify strong words, and phrases

Here's a collection for 6th grade teachers and their 6th grade language arts students. Bookmarks will ease students' understanding of the "how's of thinking and responding" as you teach to the standards. One way to use these bookmarks is to laminate them and distribute to individuals or to groups during literature circle discussions or independent work. Because the bookmark [think as you read..] is generic it can be used with any type of fiction. Another way to utilize the bookmarks is to runoff

Here is a useful product designed to give students practice in reading passages and answering questions. Use as a quiz, homework exercise, a test, or as your needs dictate. Product comes with 6 different open-ended exercises each with 3 bullets, and a brief reminder as to how to write an open-ended. These exercises target 6 specific areas from the beginning, middle and end of the novel. Students read one or more pages, then read the prompt again and use textual evidence in their answer. Use o

Calling all Reporters!!! Is there a new mathematical principle? A new invention? Has the plague spread to your village? Has your town been struck by a meteor? What exactly is going on? History in the making!! Here's an easy way to capture the events from any subject area. Have students follow the graphic organizer to report on any newsworthy event whether in Ancient Times or in Current Times to help them write a dynamite article. Students can now have their own flip book where important news ev

This is a four page product that provides your students with an opportunity to create their own blog based on any of the characters from The Phantom Tollbooth. A note to the teacher, student directions, a simple example of a blog, criteria sheet for grading, and a step one with a few general questions students can ask as they review an existing online blog. Be sure to encourage kids to include those #hashtags--#Milo!! Enjoy! Visit The Phantom Tollbooth Mega Bundle Companion Product Visit The

Here is a great product to showcase the meaning, and thought processes that will lead students to understanding these important skills. Use over a few days; show as a powerpoint and disucss, or utilize as an active learning aid to assist in a reading, thinking, and writing exercise. Presented in color and B&W. Includes 12 excellent slides for all learners, and several templates for student practice for any text. If you have purchased this product, feel free to download the updated version at

Here's a few handy sheets to support your youngsters' writing needs. Comes with paragraph outlines, planning sheet for traits, a list of useful specific traits directly from the story, a criteria sheet, and a blank one for your creation. Visit The Phantom Tollbooth Mega Bundle Companion Product Visit The Phantom Tollbooth Board Game Companion Product Visit Phantom Tollbooth-Snip-Its Companion Product Visit Phantom Tollbooth Open-Ended Companion Product Visit Phantom Tollbooth Map Criteria S

"Start Now!" Begin the school year with small increments of this type of writing; at least once a month. Great product to begin review or prep for State testing. Use the month of January to brush up on writing skills you have been teaching all year long. Activities are described for whole class,individual students, groups and pairs of students. Practice is key, along with using student sample activities. Product does not contain whistles and bells and gizmos. Product contains: Calendar for

These cards are based on the play, “The Phantom Tollbooth,” by Susan Nanus, however, they may be used for the book version too, by Norton Juster. Task cards are a fun way to check basic comprehension, therefore many questions begin with: what, explain, describe, who, etc. These Task Cards may also serve as a pre-reading activity to help students predict or prepare for a Close Read approach, or simply as an after students read check up activity. Students can draw from a box of cut out task cards

This useful product contains 14 sets of useful transitions for your students writing needs. Included are: Story teller transitions Explanatory writing transitions Time transitions Cause & effect transitions Counterclaims transitions General use transitions Persuasive transitions and more Product includes 14 pages of transitions and an area for students to create their own or use this box to show which ones have been attempted. Either way, this product will support writers whether in grade 1 or